China holiday - Internet, mobile devices etc.

[franke]

I'm getting a lot of conflicting info about taking and using mobile devices in China. Some people say not to take devices because they'll be infiltrated by the authorities , but should I take precautions?

If we have a working vpn will that protect us or should we just not even try to use Google apps, insta etc.?

Sorry, this is such a garbled question but I'm getting really bamboozled. Break it down for me so a 6yo could understand it:

• Shall I take my current mobile phone or use an old one which can be disposed of when I come home (the paranoid option)?
• If I do take my current phone do I definitely need a vpn or can I rely on wechat (for translation) and apple apps (particularly maps) that aren't blocked?
• for those who have been, what were the essential apps (if any) to make life a bit easier?

I'm not really concerned about accessing email or posting fabulous pics while I'm there, just being able to access info about wherever we are at the time.

I don’t understand- wouldn’t it just be the case that certain websites/ sources of information are blocked?

DS has been to China. He used wechat and QQ.
To access apps like Insta and FB, and to access certain websites he used a VPN.

I simply love China and cannot wait to go back. I never used my phone there, but to take pictures (however not posting them online).

If you want to use your phone, probably you would have 2 options:

1. Use your own sim and learn how much you are being charged there by your provider for everything
2. Buy a local Chinese sim (there are pay as you go just like in the UK and other countries).

Check the TripAdvisor forum with lots of info on China which is really valuable and not to miss: this would be my first research point actually.

Just use wechat and bing/apple maps
We got a local SIM card
Useful to have internet access especially in case you get lost

Anyway I don't think the Chinese government was interested in snooping on me .. if you're a normal citizen, ie don't support Falun Gong etc you should be fine

Thanks for the replies. happychange I agree, they're just not going to be interested in me but certain people we've spoken to (techie types who've never been to China 🙄) are adamant that we must leave everything at home.

LondonUK the tripadvisor forums are excellent but the court of mumsnet always has the last word in our house

I'll look at QQ - hadn't heard of it.

Thanks all.

wechat is the essential app for making life easier. Bing is also available in China. I don't have a vpn on my phone and manage okay with the above.

Myself and friends have travelled to China a few times. Always use our own mobiles. Never been infiltrated - at least not as far as we’re aware

I used my phone and was able to text dh at home using it.
I could not use email or facebook

I used my mobile there and used local wifi rather than data. It was very useful at points. You are watched there. So I'd be aware.